AWK vs. AWR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 22, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AWK and AWR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	AWK	AWR
Company Name	American Water Works Company, Inc.	American States Water Company
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Water Utilities	Water Utilities
Market Capitalization	28.41 billion USD	2.90 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	April 23, 2008	February 21, 1973
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AWK and AWR by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

AWK vs. AWR: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AWK	AWR
5-Day Price Return	1.03%	-0.19%
13-Week Price Return	1.86%	-6.18%
26-Week Price Return	16.15%	0.28%
52-Week Price Return	3.00%	-8.61%
Month-to-Date Return	3.54%	2.27%
Year-to-Date Return	16.64%	-3.17%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.42M	0.22M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.33M	0.22M
3-Month Volatility	19.72%	18.08%
Beta	0.72	0.65

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AWK

10.34%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 14.76%
Q3: 13.44%
Median: 10.08%
Q1: 6.84%
Min: 5.11%

AWK’s Return on Equity of 10.34% is on par with the norm for the Water Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

AWR

13.39%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 14.76%
Q3: 13.44%
Median: 10.08%
Q1: 6.84%
Min: 5.11%

AWR’s Return on Equity of 13.39% is on par with the norm for the Water Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

AWK vs. AWR: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Water Utilities industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AWK

21.91%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 33.53%
Q3: 23.04%
Median: 13.50%
Q1: 8.95%
Min: -3.68%

AWK’s Net Profit Margin of 21.91% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Water Utilities industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

AWR

25.11%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 33.53%
Q3: 23.04%
Median: 13.50%
Q1: 8.95%
Min: -3.68%

A Net Profit Margin of 25.11% places AWR in the upper quartile for the Water Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

AWK vs. AWR: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Water Utilities industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AWK

36.48%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 54.67%
Q3: 39.13%
Median: 31.40%
Q1: 24.32%
Min: 7.04%

AWK’s Operating Profit Margin of 36.48% is around the midpoint for the Water Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

AWR

38.28%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 54.67%
Q3: 39.13%
Median: 31.40%
Q1: 24.32%
Min: 7.04%

AWR’s Operating Profit Margin of 38.28% is around the midpoint for the Water Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

AWK vs. AWR: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Water Utilities industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AWK	AWR
Return on Equity (TTM)	10.34%	13.39%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.29%	4.95%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	21.91%	25.11%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	36.48%	38.28%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	45.26%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AWK

0.35

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 1.94
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.77
Min: 0.38

AWK’s Current Ratio of 0.35 is notably low, falling beneath the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests a heightened liquidity risk and could indicate potential challenges in meeting its short-term obligations.

AWR

1.56

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 1.94
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.77
Min: 0.38

AWR’s Current Ratio of 1.56 is in the upper quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

AWK vs. AWR: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Water Utilities industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AWK

1.40

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.48
Q3: 3.71
Median: 1.82
Q1: 0.96
Min: 0.58

AWK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.40 is typical for the Water Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

AWR

0.97

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.48
Q3: 3.71
Median: 1.82
Q1: 0.96
Min: 0.58

AWR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.97 is typical for the Water Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

AWK vs. AWR: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Water Utilities industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AWK

4.17

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 4.65
Median: 3.25
Q1: 2.23
Min: 0.58

AWK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.17 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Water Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

AWR

4.52

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 4.65
Median: 3.25
Q1: 2.23
Min: 0.58

AWR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.52 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Water Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

AWK vs. AWR: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Water Utilities industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AWK	AWR
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.35	1.56
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.32	1.39
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.40	0.97
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	4.17	4.52

Growth

Revenue Growth

AWK vs. AWR: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

AWK vs. AWR: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

AWK

2.06%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.64%
Q3: 5.51%
Median: 4.50%
Q1: 2.37%
Min: 0.00%

AWK’s Dividend Yield of 2.06% is in the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

AWR

2.43%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.64%
Q3: 5.51%
Median: 4.50%
Q1: 2.37%
Min: 0.00%

AWR’s Dividend Yield of 2.43% is consistent with its peers in the Water Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

AWK vs. AWR: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Water Utilities industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AWK

56.23%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 324.59%
Q3: 254.46%
Median: 142.60%
Q1: 57.04%
Min: 12.69%

AWK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 56.23% is in the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

AWR

56.71%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 324.59%
Q3: 254.46%
Median: 142.60%
Q1: 57.04%
Min: 12.69%

AWR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 56.71% is in the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

AWK vs. AWR: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Water Utilities industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AWK	AWR
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.06%	2.43%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	56.23%	56.71%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AWK

27.30

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 34.48
Q3: 27.82
Median: 18.45
Q1: 14.12
Min: 7.14

AWK’s P/E Ratio of 27.30 is within the middle range for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

AWR

23.32

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 34.48
Q3: 27.82
Median: 18.45
Q1: 14.12
Min: 7.14

AWR’s P/E Ratio of 23.32 is within the middle range for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

AWK vs. AWR: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Water Utilities industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AWK

5.98

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.86
Q3: 3.76
Median: 2.73
Q1: 2.16
Min: 1.04

With a P/S Ratio of 5.98, AWK trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Water Utilities industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

AWR

5.86

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.86
Q3: 3.76
Median: 2.73
Q1: 2.16
Min: 1.04

AWR’s P/S Ratio of 5.86 is in the upper echelon for the Water Utilities industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

AWK vs. AWR: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Water Utilities industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AWK

2.54

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 4.29
Q3: 3.24
Median: 1.73
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.65

AWK’s P/B Ratio of 2.54 is within the conventional range for the Water Utilities industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

AWR

3.04

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 4.29
Q3: 3.24
Median: 1.73
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.65

AWR’s P/B Ratio of 3.04 is within the conventional range for the Water Utilities industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

AWK vs. AWR: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Water Utilities industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AWK	AWR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	27.30	23.32
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.98	5.86
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.54	3.04
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	4,224.17	147.82